Double-Decker Buses Set to Return to Chennai After 17 Years with Electric, Air-Conditioned Fleet

Chennai, Jan 8: Chennai is poised to bring back an iconic chapter of its public transport history, with the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) planning to reintroduce double-decker buses after a hiatus of more than 17 years. As part of its ongoing fleet electrification drive, the MTC has proposed the induction of 20 air-conditioned electric double-decker buses, marking a major step towards cleaner and more modern urban mobility.

According to a tender issued by the MTC on Thursday, the buses will be procured under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model. Under this arrangement, the selected private operator will own, operate and maintain the buses, while the transport corporation will pay the operator based on the number of kilometres run. Fare collection and ticket revenue, however, will remain with the MTC, ensuring continued public control over pricing and route management.

A pre-bid meeting for prospective bidders has been scheduled for January 13 at 3 p.m., after which the procurement process is expected to move forward. Transport officials said the model allows the MTC to modernise its fleet without bearing the full upfront capital and maintenance costs, while also ensuring professional upkeep of the electric buses.

The proposal has already generated considerable public interest, especially after an electric double-decker bus manufactured by Switch Mobility was recently spotted on Chennai roads. Images and videos of the vehicle quickly went viral on social media, sparking curiosity and nostalgia among residents who remember the city’s earlier double-decker services.

Officials clarified that the new buses will not operate across all routes in the city. Due to their height, double-decker buses require adequate vertical clearance and cannot be deployed on roads with low bridges, overhead power lines, flyovers or other structural constraints. Consequently, the services will be limited to carefully identified corridors that meet safety and infrastructure norms.

The initiative brings Chennai in line with other Indian cities that have already adopted electric double-decker buses. Mumbai introduced the country’s first air-conditioned electric double-deckers in January 2023, while Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar have also rolled out similar services. Thiruvananthapuram, meanwhile, operates open-top double-decker buses primarily for tourism purposes.

All 20 buses proposed for Chennai are designed, developed and manufactured by a private company, which conducted a trial run of an electric double-decker bus in the city in August 2023. That trial followed an earlier announcement by the Transport Minister indicating that the feasibility of operating double-decker buses, particularly on select tourist and high-demand routes, would be examined.

Chennai’s association with double-decker buses dates back to the 1970s. Though phased out in the 1980s, they made a brief return in 1997, operating on the High Court–Tambaram route until 2008. Officials said the latest proposal seeks to revive that legacy in a cleaner, quieter and commuter-friendly electric form, while addressing the city’s growing transport needs.

Team Maverick.